NEWS BRIEfS

AIRLINES NEWS

Boeing, United Airlines FinAlise record PUrchAse Boeing and United Airlines announced the carrier is investing in its future fleet with an order for 100 787 airplanes, with the option to purchase 100 more. The deal is the largest 787 Dreamliner order in Boeing history. United is also purchasing 100 737 MAX jets, exercising 44 existing options and placing 56 new orders. The airline’s current orders for Boeing jets have surpassed 530, including more than 430 737 MAX airplanes.

The 787 Dreamliner provides United with unparalleled efficiency and flexibility across its extensive network of domestic and international flights. The 787 also offers an impressive 25 per cent improvement in fuel use compared with the airplanes it replaces, depending on the configuration.

The 737 MAX family is designed to offer enhanced reliability and improved fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent compared to the airplanes it replaces, depending on the configuration.

INFRASTRUCTURE

goA internAtionAl AirPort commences oPerAtions Goa’s newly developed Manohar International Airport, Mopa started its operations. An event held at the airport saw the first passenger flight arrival and departure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Manohar International Airport, Goa on December 11, 2022.

Addressing the event virtually, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General V.K. Singh (Retd) congratulated all stakeholders involved for the successful commencement of operations at the Manohar International Airport. He also noted how the new airport will go a long way in boosting economic growth of both the State of Goa and the country. Goa has traditionally been a popular tourist destination, but the Dabolim airport being a Defence airport put limitations on air traffic. With the new airport, Goa is set to be connected to 18 new foreign and 30 new domestic destinations.

INDUSTRY

rAytheon comPletes First engine rUn oF hyBrid-electric Flight demonstrAtor Raytheon Technologies announced the successful first engine run of the company’s AppoIntments

PRESIDENT oF ICAo AIR NAvIgATIoN CommISSIoN REAPPoINTED On November 28, 2022, the ICAO Council decided to re-appoint Padhraic Kelleher as President of the Air Navigation Commission (ANC) for a second one-year term, commencing on January 1, 2023. He was first nominated for appointment by the UK Government, with his initial mandate beginning on January 1, 2022. He has served as an ANC Commissioner at ICAO since 2018.

BoEINg APPoINTS NEW INDoNESIA CoUNTRY mANAgINg DIRECToR Boeing announced the appointment of Zaid Alami as the Country Managing Director for Boeing Indonesia, effective immediately. Alami is based in Jakarta and serves as Boeing’s senior executive in the country, leading Boeing’s operations and growth strategy in Indonesia. He reports to Alexander Feldman, President, Boeing Southeast Asia. Alami most recently served as the leader of Boeing’s Global Support Center in Jakarta.

BoEINg ANNoUNCES NEW PRESIDENT oF BoEINg INTERNATIoNAL Boeing announced that Dr. Brendan Nelson will take over as President of Boeing International (BI) and lead the company’s international strategy and corporate operations. The former Australian diplomat and government minister will succeed Sir Michael Arthur. Nelson will report to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun and join the company’s executive council.

DIAL & ADone events LAunch AIr expo InDIA

Air Expo India, a brand new general and business aviation exhibition, will be hosted by Delhi International Airport (a GMR Airports Limited company) on November 22-24, 2023 at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The show was officially launched in New Delhi on December 14 when DIAL and Adone Events signed a protocol agreement to organise the show. A first for New Delhi, the event connects general and business aviation to the region, home to the fastest-growing aviation market in the world.

The show launch highlights the growth potential of the country’s aviation market and will take place over a three-day period. It will welcome exhibitors and delegates from Asia and the Middle East, representing local and international aerospace companies, owners, operators, suppliers, and media. An industry first, the show will house one of the biggest static displays of eVTOL and electric aircraft in support of India’s intent to become a manufacturing center for these aircraft.

Air Expo India is targeting a mix of general and business aviation exhibitors who will come together on a static area totaling 60,000 sqm. The space will accommodate more than 100 aircraft ranging in size from single and twin-engine models to turboprops and private jets. The show format will reflect the approach taken at Abu Dhabi Air Expo, France Air Expo and African Air Expo, also organised by Adone Events, which offers exhibits located next to the runway enabling manufacturers to present their whole range of aircraft. •

regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator, marking a key milestone towards flight testing, targeted to begin in 2024.

The system fully integrates a 1 MW electric motor developed by Collins Aerospace with a highly efficient Pratt & Whitney fuel-burning engine, specially adapted for hybrid-electric operation. This powerplant technology will enable more efficient engine performance during the different phases of flight, such as take-off, climb and cruise, reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent compared to today’s most advanced regional turboprop aircraft. Flight Test Centre of Excellence will modify and operate the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 aircraft, serving as the platform for future flight demonstrations.

Raytheon Technologies launched the demonstrator project via its Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace businesses in July 2021, supported by the Governments of Canada and Quebec.

openIng of prAtt & WhItney InDIA engIneerIng centre

(From L to R) Rema Ravindran, General Manager, Pratt & Whitney’s India Engineering Center (IEC); Tizziana Weber, Vice President, Communications, Pratt & Whitney; Paul Weedon, Executive Director, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada; Shane Eddy, President, Pratt & Whitney; Rick Deurloo, President, Commercial Engines for Pratt & Whitney; Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney; D.J. Dalal, North American Project Director, IEC

Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies business, officially opened the doors to its new India Engineering Centre (IEC) in Bengaluru. The facility is co-located with Pratt & Whitney’s India Capabilities Centre (ICC), which opened in 2022 to provide integrated global supply chain support, and the recently inaugurated Collins Aerospace engineering and global operations centres. The IEC, which was designed to meet the LEED Platinum certification, further enhances Raytheon Technologies’ combined presence in India of over 5,000 employees and facilitates collaboration across the company’s businesses.

“The Indian aviation market is growing at a rapid pace and Bengaluru is a hub for that growth,” said Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney. “The work conducted at the IEC – by some of India’s best and brightest minds – will support cutting edge technology that will drive the future of flight.” More than 50 employees are now based in the state-of-the-art facility, with an additional 450 jobs to be filled over the next four years. Work performed at the IEC will encompass elements such as aero and mechanical and control systems for various products in Pratt & Whitney’s broad portfolio of large and small commercial engines. It will also extend across the entire product lifecycle from development to field support and sustainment.

“The IEC will fully integrate with our existing global engineering footprint across Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland to advance world-class technology such as the geared turbofan and other sustainable propulsion solutions,” said Paul Weedon, Vice President, Engine Development, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. “The IEC team will be key to improving commercial engine performance, extending time on wing, reducing airline operating costs, and decreasing fuel consumption.”

The opening of the IEC further illustrates Raytheon Technologies’ long history of investing in India. With more than 1,500 engines and auxiliary power units in service, Pratt & Whitney has one of the largest footprints for any engine maker in India. Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines power more than 180 A320neos and A321neos and have delivered more than $1 billion in savings to Indian airlines since entry-into-service. Other significant investments in-country include Pratt & Whitney’s state-ofthe-art India Customer Training Centre in Hyderabad and its R&D collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

India is important to the global growth and investment strategy of Raytheon Technologies, and the advanced infrastructure and talent pool will help drive the country’s contributions as a global leader in aerospace and defence. •

REgULAToRY

imProvement in AviAtion sAFety rAnking A team of Auditors from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conducted an audit of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from November 9-16, 2022. During the closing briefing, the ICAO team informed DGCA that the Effective Implementation of India has increased to 85.49 per cent from the previous 69.95 per cent.

DGCA is the safety regulator for ensuring safety of aircraft operations within India and has laid down a mechanism of conducting surveillance, spot checks, night surveillance etc. of the airlines to ensure safety of passenger and aircraft. The observations/findings made during surveillance, spot checks and night surveillance are provided to the airline for taking corrective action. The action taken to correct the observation are reviewed and the finding closed. All occurrences are mandatorily reported to DGCA.

emBrAer e195-e2 And e190-e2 receives tyPe certiFicAtion Embraer’s E2 family of commercial jets, the E195-E2 and E190-E2, has received Type Certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), following certification from ANAC (Brazil), the FAA (USA), and EASA (Europe) in 2019 and 2018 respectively. The world’s most efficient family of single-aisle aircraft is shaping the regional market with its sustainable technologies, superior cabin comfort, excellent economics and optimal range. The E195-E2 is the most environmentally friendly aircraft in its class, with a 25 per cent lower fuel burn than the previous generation aircraft, with E190-E2 achieving 17 per cent lower emissions. Both aircraft have the lowest levels of external noise, and the longest maintenance inter vals in the single-aisle jet category. • -